WRITING DOCUMENTS IN PLAIN TALK

Course Length: 1 Day
This course will cover the general principles and seven guidelines of Plain Talk as it applies to writing instructions, announcements, publications, and other documents.

As a writer or editor for a state agency you should write and design your documents for easy use and customer understanding. In order to do so, you need to use plain language or writing that the typical customer can act upon after a single reading. Writing in Plain Talk allows government to excel at what it does best - serve the public.

For more in-depth information about the Governor's Initiative on Plain Talk go to: http://www.governor.wa.gov/issues/issues/efficient-government/plain-talk

Note: This course helps you get your documents to the point of usability, but does not include training on usability testing.


• Understand customer needs.
• Use simple language.
• Include only important information.
• Keep sentences and paragraphs short.
• Use active sentences.
• Use key personal pronouns such as "we" and "you."
• Design clear pages.

1. Spend less time writing.
2. Unlock the power of "active" writing.
3. Understand the importance of context in your writing.
4. Learn how to test your writing with a readability tool.

 
Jordan Peabody's
Writing Documents in
Plain Talk

2023 CLASSES
APRIL 25    
Community Transit
Everett, WA
Registration CLOSED

JUNE 7    
Northwest Clerks Institute
Tacoma, WA
Registration CLOSED

JUNE 13 
WA St. Dept. of Enterprise Services
Olympia, WA
Registration Contact:
DES Training Center

AUGUST 16    
Northwest Public Power Assoc.
Spokane, WA
Registration CLOSED

SEPTEMBER 12    
WA St. Dept. of Ecology
VIRTUAL CLASS

SEPTEMBER 19 
WA St. Dept. of Enterprise Services
Olympia, WA
Registration Contact:
DES Training Center

DECEMBER 19 
WA St. Dept. of Enterprise Services
Olympia, WA
Registration Contact:
DES Training Center

JUNE 28 
WA. ST. Insurance Pool 
Registration CLOSED


     
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